Is Karo Syrup Safe For Young Children
Some healthcare professionals recommend feeding infants Karo syrup to prevent or treat constipation.
However, corn syrup is not sterile. As a result, they might contain harmful levels of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum . These bacteria can cause a rare and sometimes fatal illness called botulism.
Karo syrup may also of dental cavities developing in older infants. As such, the syrup is not suitable for children.
On top of any health risks, infants often do not require active treatment for constipation.
Preventing and treating constipation in infants is often as simple as making small dietary changes. If your baby is old enough to eat solid foods, adding more fresh fruit or fiber-rich foods is often enough to soften the stool.
One simple remedy is to give infants 1 ounce of apple or pear juice per day for about the first 4 months of life. Increasing the intake of nutrtious fluids and avoiding cows milk may also be helpful for older infants.
A glycerin suppository may sometimes help constipation relief in young children. If symptoms persist despite home management and treatment, seek medical advice and treatment from a qualified professional.
Celiac Disease Vs Gluten Intolerance Vs Fructan Intolerance
First, its important to understand the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten.
Even tiny amounts of gluten will severely damage the small intestine of an individual with celiac disease.
On the other hand, gluten intolerance is thought to be a subtle sensitivity to gluten diagnosed after exclusion of celiac disease. Its said to affect between 0.5-13% of people .
In the scientific community its known as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or wheat sensitivity. Think of it much like you would an intolerance to FODMAPs.
In fact, newer research indicates that we may be incorrectly diagnosing a FODMAP intolerance as a gluten intolerance. Specifically, it really looks like what weve thought was gluten intolerance is actually a fructan intolerance .
A gluten intolerant individual can typically eat small amounts of gluten safely, but experiences health issues when their threshold is exceeded.
The following are common signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance, after celiac disease has been ruled out.
Summary: Gluten can physically damage the small intestine in those with celiac disease. A gluten intolerance, or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, is a more subtle sensitivity diagnosed after exclusion of celiac disease.
Where Do I Start
This was my biggest question and the one that caused me the most angst. Once I got started though, it became easier and almost second nature to cook within the parameters of these new food omissions. So, for starters, lets focus on gluten first. Over the next few months, I plan to post more on food allergies and intolerances, specifically gluten and dairy, so please stay tuned.
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You Consistently Have Joint Or Muscle Aches
Chronic joint or muscle pain is a common symptom reported in studies of non-celiac gluten sensitivity .
The pain is said to be like that of Fibromyalgia, a condition which may be improved by going gluten-free, at least anecdotally.
As joint and muscle pain is a broad symptom, only consider it a possible sign if you experience several of the other symptoms.
What Is The Difference Between A Wheat Intolerance And A Gluten Intolerance
Gluten proteins are found within wheat. That means that those who are gluten intolerant are also wheat intolerant. However, it doesnt work the other way around.
Gluten is found in other grain substitutes such as barley and rye, so those with a specific wheat intolerance who do not react to gluten proteins can still eat these foods without experiencing a reaction.
Supermarkets have continuously expanded their range of gluten and wheat-free produce in recent years to cater for those who are following a gluten-free diet or avoiding wheat.
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Gluten Gliadin And Glutenin
The two proteins that comprise gluten, gliadin and glutenin are found primarily in wheat, but the proteins are also present in other grains, such as rye and barley. Gluten sensitivity is simply intolerance that causes the body to have an abnormal response when it attempts to break down the proteins during the digestive process.
How Are Gluten Sensitivities/allergies Tested
A person can be allergic to gluten . The testing involves a traditional allergy skin test and/or lab tests. The best test will be determined by your board-certified allergy/immunology specialist.
The symptoms of gluten sensitivity or allergy can vary and sometimes mimic symptoms of other disorders. Identifying sensitivity or allergy to gluten starts with a good history and physical exam. Then, the most accurate way to determine the existence of sensitivity versus allergy is to get evaluated and tested by a medical professional. If tests reveal an allergy or gluten-sensitivity, the condition is usually managed by changes in diet. Being sensitive to gluten doesnt necessarily mean a drastic change in lifestyle or the necessity of taking any medications. Proper testing can reveal or rule out Celiac disease, the most severe form of intolerance. An allergy to gluten products generally necessitates total elimination of the food from the diet due to concerns of severe, life threatening reactions.
Testing is important to rule out other factors as well. For example, some people dont have a gluten allergy, per se they might simply have an adverse reaction to an additive in a food, such as MSG. Other people lack an enzyme such as lactase, which causes lactose intolerance, and some of its symptoms mimic the symptoms of gluten intolerance.
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If You Have Any Of The Following Symptoms You May Have Gluten Intolerance:
1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and even constipation after eating gluten.
2. Keratosis Pilaris, also known as chicken skin on the back of your arms. This tends to be a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut.1
3. Fatigue, brain fog, or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten
4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimotos thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma, or Multiple sclerosis.
5.Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off-balance
6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS, or unexplained infertility
7. Migraine headaches
8. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgiathe diagnoses simply indicate your conventional doctor cannot pinpoint the cause of your fatigue or pain.
9. Inflammation, swelling, or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips.
10. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD.
How Can You Test For A Gluten Intolerance
Unfortunately, there isnt much to go on at the moment. The only two reliable methods are blood tests and the elimination diet. Blood testing is pretty obvious, but many people are reluctant to return to their doctor after they have been told that they have no problem with gluten. This is why most people opt for the elimination diet.
If you decide to go for blood testing, see if there is a Cyrex lab close to where you live. They offer a comprehensive blood test which will screen you for all gluten and wheat proteins and enzymes to determine if you have a problem.
Otherwise, most people simply try the ease of the elimination diet. Remove everything that contains gluten from your life for at least 30 days. Most people find they have relief from their symptoms within 21 days. If nothing changes and you still have symptoms, talk with your doctor about other possibilities.
However, most people who suspect that they have a gluten sensitivity do find that by removing gluten from their lives, they feel like their old selves within about a three week period. Be certain that you remove all, not just some, gluten from your diet.
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At What Age Does Celiac Disease Appear
Celiac symptoms can appear as early as 6 months of age, after you start introducing your baby to solid foods that contain gluten. However, symptoms may not be noticeable until adulthood, and some children with celiac disease do not show symptoms at all. Sadly, the majority of people living with celiac disease go undiagnosed.
Some Of The Most Common Symptoms Of Gluten Sensitivity Are:
1. Digestive Problems Including gas, abdominal pain, bloating, and IBS.
2. Cognitive Issues Such as an inability to focus, dizziness, tingling sensations in the extremities, and brain fog.
3. Extreme Fatigue If you become abnormally tired during the day, this is often a sign of gluten sensitivity.
4. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Although some doctors will deny it, the weakness and skeletal pain that most people call fibromyalgia is actually a sensitivity to gluten.
5. Hormonal Imbalance If you suffer from PMS, extreme menopause symptoms, or unexplained fertility problems, you could have a gluten sensitivity.
6. Joint Pain and/or Inflammation Many people who are suffering from inflammation or joint pain do not have arthritis or other issues, they are simply overly sensitive to gluten, or they are allergic to gluten.
7. Emotional Issues Depression, drastic mood swings, panic attacks or extreme feelings of anxiety when there is no cause for such feelings might be a gluten sensitivity.
8. Frequent Headaches and/or Migraines
9. Skin Rashes Unexplained rashes or other types of skin problems, such as psoriasis or eczema.
10. Keratosis Pilaris This is another type of skin issue that many people who have a gluten sensitivity develop. This skin issue causes rough, discolored bumps and/or hardened patches of skin, usually around the arms, thighs, or even on the cheeks of the face.
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Whats The Difference Between Wheat Allergy And Celiac Disease
An allergy to wheat involves an allergic response to a protein in wheat. Gluten is not one of the wheat proteins that typically causes an allergic reaction. Gluten is involved in a condition called celiac disease.
Itâs easy to confuse celiac disease with wheat allergy, but they are very different. Celiac disease does not cause an allergic reaction. With celiac disease, there is a different type of immune system response in the intestines, causing a problem with the absorption of food.
While people with wheat allergy can usually eat other grains, people with celiac disease cannot eat any food containing gluten, which is also found in other grains such as barley, rye, and sometimes oats.
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Gluten Allergy Symptoms You Should Know
Its unlikely that youll experience all the symptoms of an allergy or intolerance but there are a few that are common.
Its also important to note that an allergy can present itself within an hour or so of eating gluten.
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However, it can take up to a few days for the symptoms of gluten intolerance to become apparent.
Common symptoms of gluten allergy:
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Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression
An increase in the symptoms associated with depression and anxiety were linked to eating gluten-containing foods, according to a 2014 study published in Alimentary & Pharmacology & Therapeutics. As we know, the gut-brain connection is very much realan unhappy gut can lead to substantial changes in mood.
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Should Your Family Go Gluten Free
Some of my friends think Im extreme when it comes to my diet. I can handle that. I cant recommend any type of diet to my clients until Ive tried it out for myself and see the results.
Wheat free, gluten free, sugar and dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, raw, high carbs, low or no carbsIve tried them all and know how easy or hard it is to follow.
Once I had children, I realized they had a negative reaction to what I ate, while breast-feeding, and that was a game changer for me.
Food sensitivity testing proved to me that my first baby was reacting to foods that I ate and after I avoided the foods that we both reacted to, her symptoms of gassiness, diarrhea, rashes and fussiness improved.
I avoided my favourite foods and swapped them for gluten free cardboard like bread, and lived on rice cakes and crackers. I followed a restricted diet, not to lose weight or to deprive myself, but so my daughter was more comfortable and symptom free.
Seven years ago when I first embarked on a new way of eating, there really wasnt the variety of alternatives that I see today. Theres gluten free alternatives to most foods, including the unhealthy ones.
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You Have An Autoimmune Disease
An autoimmune disease is the term given when your immune system mistakenly attacks and damages your own tissue.
There are more than 80 types, characterised by which tissues or organs in the body are damaged.
Gluten intake is consistently linked with numerous types, but whether its the cause remains to be seen. Its influence in Celiac disease is the obvious example, but research indicates gluten likely affects Hashimotos hypothyroidism and Graves disease, to name a few.
Some researchers speculate the potentially negative effect of gluten is to do with the effect that gliadin may have on gut health and function .
In any case, it seems gluten intolerance is more likely in those with an autoimmune condition.
What Not To Say To Someone With A Gluten Allergy
Living with an “invisible” health condition can be challenging. The symptoms of the condition are only felt by you, and this makes it difficult for the people around you to relate to it and sometimes even understand it.
Gluten allergy, more specifically celiac disease, occurs when a person’s immune system negatively reacts to a common protein found in wheat, barley, and rye gluten . The disease usually affects the person’s small intestine, and over time, it can harm the lining of your intestine and lead to malabsorption. Malabsorption, which is essentially difficulty in absorbing nutrients, per John Hopkins Medicine can lead to more severe complications like fatigue, weight loss, and diarrhea in adults in children, it also affects their development, per Mayo Clinic.
Having a gluten allergy would mean having to learn about foods that may contain gluten and avoiding them. In addition to the physical symptoms of a gluten allergy, according to a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, diseases like celiac that affect a person’s digestive tract also cause anxiety and depression in the people who have them. If you or someone you know has a gluten allergy, you’d probably know that there are some things people should just not be saying to someone with the condition.
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How To Reduce Gluten Intake
While people with celiac disease must exclude gluten from their diet as soon as a doctor has diagnosed the condition, many people with gluten intolerance slowly reduce the consumption of gluten, rather than cutting it out straightaway.
It can help if a person starts by including one gluten-free meal per day before slowly adding more.
It may not be beneficial for everyone with gluten intolerance to cut gluten out of their diet entirely, as peoples symptoms will vary in their severity.
Some people may be able to consume small amounts of gluten without experiencing any symptoms.
The majority of people with gluten intolerance, however, may want to eliminate gluten from their diet gradually.
How Do I Manage It
If youre confident you are intolerant to a particular food, the only way to manage this is to stop eating the food for a while and then reintroduce small quantities while monitoring how much you can eat without causing symptoms.
Check food labels to see which sorts of foods to avoid.
If you think your child may have a food intolerance, check with a GP or dietitian before eliminating foods from their diet, as a restricted diet could affect their growth and development. Cows milk, for example, is an important source of calcium, vitamin D and protein.
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Testing For Wheat Gluten Allergy
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